Hot
- 6000 mAh provides plenty of charging power
- Compact and portable
- Fast charging for electronic devices
- Rugged – Waterproof, dust proof and shockproof
- Two USB ports dual for charging
- Built-in flashlight (3 settings, including flash)
- Rechargeable – eco-friendly
Not
- Button placement to turn off flashlight, must look into the light
Outdoor Tech Kodiak 2.0 – 6000 mAh Portable Charger
Price: $49.95 MSRP
How obtained: Review sample from company
Available: Retail Gregory web site
Colors: Blue, Black, Grey, Red and Camo
RBR Sponsor: No
Tested: 15+ hours
Weight: 6.6 oz
Charge Capacity: 6000 mAh
Stay Powered Longer
When I look at my bike gear I’m amazed by the number of items that need charging…headlight, taillight, Garmin, Di2, and iPhone. Some folks may also have a headlamp, GoPro and/or a camera. If I’m traveling, on a multi-day rider, or even a long single day ride, I’ve often wished I had longer battery life. On a recent century ride my Garmin battery almost died because I was using the Course feature and it was constantly pinging the satellite.
I noticed my friend Hollie who rides 200k and 300k brevets carries a charger in her bento bag and it got me thinking. So when I received the sample from Outdoor Tech, I was eager to try it.
Power On-The-Go
I took the Kodiak 2.0 on our recent trip to Colorado. Using our cell phones for pictures, navigation, weather, and social media, I knew we’d deplete the battery pretty quickly. Having a charger gave me piece of mind I wouldn’t miss that great shot or be without a phone in an emergency. It definitely came in handy with 6000 mAh and dual USB ports, one 5v 1amp and one 5v 2.4 amp. One port is designed for GoPros, tablets and iPads. The other port is for smaller devices like smartphones and iPods.
So how much can you charge with 6000 mAh? The answer isn’t cut and dry. But as I scanned several articles, you can recharge your dead phone 2-4 times. Here’s an article that provides some stats. It’s a few years old but still gives you an idea on charging capabilities.
The Kodiak 2.0 has a waterproof, dustproof and shockproof housing eliminating any worries about it knocking around in my pack or pocket. It’s fully waterproof (IPX7) when the lid is closed and submersible up to 3 ft of water for 30 minutes. If the top is open, it’s water resistant (IPX6) so a little rain shouldn’t hurt. At 6.6oz and fairly compact size (3.59in x 2.8in x 0.9in), it fit in a jersey or shorts pocket.
To charge the Kodiak 2.0 you just plug in the micro USB cord that’s included with the unit. There are 5 red LED lights that indicate battery level from fully charged to 20%. When the red LED lights flash it indicates less than 5% power remaining.
Flashlight Bright and Powerful
The Kodiak 2.0 has a 6 LED light flashlight with high, low and emergency strobe modes. I started using it as a flashlight for my morning open water swims. As Fall approaches it is dark when we get to the lake. I used it many times from the car, to the pier and then left it on while we swam. The Kodiak 2.0 lasted for hours without hardly depleting the charge.
The rubber casing is textured making it easy to grip, but since it is shock proof there’s no worries if you drop it.
The one complaint I have with the flashlight feature is the location of the on/off button. It is located on the front of the unit (see image below) so you are forced to look at the light to find the switch, getting blinded in the process. The button is also flush with the case requiring you to feel around to locate. It took a while to learn where the button was, so I could turn the light off just by touch. If on the next release they moved the button to the side or rear, I’d say the Kodiak 2.0 would be close to perfect.
Bottom Line
With all our electronics we use on and off the bike, the Outdoor Tech Kodiak 2.0 portable charger gives you piece of mind. Charge your Garmin, lights, GoPro or smartphone anywhere, any time. Great for a long, multi-day ride, 300k brevet, hiking, camping or even boating. The 6000 mAh provides plenty of power to charge several items and keep you going.
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